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Author
Topic: Trying to deal with cancer... (Read 10195 times)

I have just been diagnosed with advanced prostrate cancer….inoperable ….will have 9 weeks of radiation 5 times a week…also hormone therapy…the cancer has spread to the bones and to the lymph nodes, but at the early stage…I am really having a hard time dealing with this and so worried that with my numbers this could be what does me in…any other LTS been through this

Dad1216,Sorry to hear about the cancer. I have had cancer twice. The first was KS in my small intestine, luckily Chemo got rid of it in 3 months. Then two years ago had skin cancer. They removed half of my ring finger.

Both times the support of family and friends was extremely helpful. I have to admit I was scared as hell the first time. I tried to stay positive. It is not an easy thing to deal with. But success is possible!

Keep us posted please. Never give up hope. Feel free to PM me any time!

So sorry to hear this news I've been away for a month and only just catching up.

Sounds like you are going to be in for a rough time over the next few weeks; I do hope you have some support around you. If I didn't live across the ocean you know I would be there helping you out.

I guess what you need to focus on is all the other stuff you've managed to get through in the past e.g. the heart attacks, being off meds for so long - this is just another battle which you have to find the energy to fight.

Obviously there is a fear factor involved, who wouldn't be scared dealing with yet another major health problem but try to keep mentally strong even if your body feels like it wants to give up.

Like Mark I will send you all the healing energy I can muster along with love and prayers.

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It's one of the few issues I've not dealt with personally so I don't have any first hand knowledge. I've had several friends make it through their cancer treatments and am sending my postive energy your way.

Thanks for the well wishes they are greatly appreciated…especially at this time…

I am on information overload…I have for the first time heard a doctor say the word cure….will start out with a triple hormone therapy to stop the cancer from growing…and then in 60 days start heavy doses of radiation…

I started the hormone therapy last week…soon to come will be the hot flashes, and who knows what else when you stop all the testosterone…

I am happy with all the doctors so far…they do blame the HIV for the rapid progression of the cancer…

I did forget to mention that I had my first grandchild…she is 6 months old…my son and his wife are living with me…so I am the full time babysitter….loving every minute of it…

I was diagnosed with stomach/spleen cancer in Dec 1996. I did the rounds of chemo, radiation and surgeries. Looking back at it all I am happy it happened, I am stronger today.

Cancer and HIV/AIDS is a battle only made better by all things that begin with YOU. Get informed and always be proactive. Make sure you eat what works best to fuel your system and never miss a doze of vital meds. Enjoy life as it comes.

As time goes on, big things and issues in life will become small, so small they´re nowhere to be seen. You´ll also noticed people who care about you and those who do a bit less, it´s life. The only thing that matters is how you feel and cope with it. This will make you stronger eventually. Don´t ever give up on yourself. Every life counts and yours matters too.

So far things are going pretty well...I am finishing up my second week of radiation, with 7 more weeks to go...it is putting a strain on the body, very weak and exhausted...but tolerable so far...

The hormone therapy has been the worst....no testosterone equals no sex drive at all now...the doctor was right when he gave me the injection and said..."say goodbye to your sex life"....I wonder when all is over if I will go through puberty again...lol

I have been through a few round co the Big C myself. However, it was not the type that could be successfully treated with Chemo/Radiation therapy, so I cannot offer you advice on how to cope with that. In my instance, transplantation was the only viable treatment.

All I can offer you is some well wishes in the upcoming battle, and it will be a battle. Save your energy for the fight, and kick some ass!

I have had my rounds with chemo and radiation treatments for stubborn KS , I finally beat it . I'm sure the treatments I had were mild compared to what you are are dealing with so I wanted to send some energy your way and let you know I'm thinking about you , good luck and stay strong .

Sorry to hear this. I have had treatment twice for Hodgkin's Lynthoma ,the second time only able to complete one half off the chemo. Its was a very rough time. Please feel able to P/M if it might be helpful.take caretheyer

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"If we can find the money to kill people, we can find the money to help people ." Tony Benn

I can't believe this....for the last couple of weeks I have battled what I thought was a radiation burn in between my legs...my cancer oncologist kept telling me that it could not be radiation causing it that it had to be related to my HIV...it got so bad that they did stop the radiation and sent me to my ID doctor to deal with what ever was causing it...I was immediately admitted to the hospital...pumped full of antibiotics....had a wound specialist..after 3 days they finally got the pain to a tolerable point so they could treat the wounds...it looked like someone had poured scalding hot water all over my privates and between my legs...oozing sores that were raw...

Well yesterday the oncologist tells me that they finally figured out what caused the sores....it was the radiation...they found out that the radiation machine was set up wrong and that for the 29 treatments that I have had they have been shooting the wrong area...they are not sure if they have even hit the prostate...and they are not sure what damage had been done to the other organs...and that I may have to repeat all the treatments...that it is their fault and how sorry they are that I had to go through everything that has happened...because of this they have set new protocols so that it doesn't happen to anyone else...they told me they had already reported the incident to the state medical board...and that risk management would be contacting me...

That's absolutely horrible. I'm sorry for what you've gone through and what you still have to because of their mistake. I don't think every situation requires a lawsuit, but this instance screams for compensation.

Did they tell you how long you have to wait to start the correct treatment?

LabRat

So sorry to hear of your hospital's mistakes. I thought that they used a laser to pinpoint exactly where the radiation should target, leaving the rest of the area untouched. This is terrible!

I'm glad that you hired a lawyer...you need professional representation and advise. Risk management will most likely try to smooth things over in order to protect the hospital from a lawsuit. I'd refer the risk mgt. people to your lawyer.

Hope you heal up soon and by some miracle don't have to endure any more radiation treatments; i.e. cured!

Oh that is awful, the only bit that was not was the Doctors clarity in stating what has happened,I am sorry and wish you all the best in dealing with your health and legal matters, hang in there all the besttheyer

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"If we can find the money to kill people, we can find the money to help people ." Tony Benn

OMG that is awful! I hope you are recovering from these horrible radiation wounds. My partner had radiation in that same area in 2007, has mostly recovered from the awful effects of it, but has never been completely "the same".

Hope your attorneys can help you out, and that it will all be o.k.

Hugs, Alan

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"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

so sorry for this super bad problem ...medical errors cause lots of issues , many are never resolved.. I hope your lawyer is very knowledgeable in dealing with Medical malpractice...... this calls for a long term treatment solution and a major money settlement...... be prepared for lots of BS about "extenuating" circumstances nonsense....they will claim HIV as a reason for mistake... and extreme outcomes..... " Risk Management" is a code for insurance coverage..... find out what their liability covers and ask for double that...make it hurt them.....

really sorry to hear about this , wishing you the best outcomes physically,mentally and fiscally

Bob,I am so pissed right now, I can't imagine how you are controlling your anger. I'm glad you hired a lawyer.Try to take one day at a time. I know it's a cliche, but It helped me focus during my cancer battles.My heart goes out to you! Hang tough man.

My mother's also diagnosed with cancer on top of HIV. It's some sort of sarcoma that's so rare that doctors aren't quite sure how to treat it.

She had one ovary removed 3 years ago with the presumption that it was ovarian cancer. Fast forward to today (4 years later) It's spread to her stomach, liver and her other ovary. The Docs are thinking about Chemo.

She's scared, but somehow is coping with it. I'm not religious at all, but she says her faith in God has got her through so far.

I hope you too can get through this.

Anyway, I just wanted to deliver some kind words from afar, from someone else who's also going through a similar situation.

Are you a long term survivor (please read the rules at the top of the LTS forum for an explanation)?

If you are, please let people know your story. If you are not an LTS, then please know that only other LTS are allowed to post in this forum. I'm sure that your sentiments are appreciated, but there are good reasons why some of the forums are restricted and we ask that everyone respect those rules.